We post pictures of pigs that Playboy and Hustler wouldn’t touch!
Please note: There are more pages than what appear on our header and if your Army call sign was Razorback, why aren’t you a member?
Updated: 8 Aug 2024
Our 60th Anniversary Reunion coming up soon!! Plus a little change of plans. See below!
On 15 JUN 1964, for the first time, a new type of Army unit took to the skies around Saigon in the Republic of Vietnam; flying beefed up Bell helicopters, and carrying large quantities of air to ground artillery. Their very existence was born out of the need to protect the Saigon Area of Operations from Communist threat. That need quickly expanded and the unit flew missions in all four Corps areas and beyond. Soon other helicopter companies began flying Huey gunships, too.
Lieutenant Max “Red” Hall, gave the small unit their name and although was not the original platoon leader, is considered the “Father of the Razorbacks”. He, being Arkansas alumnus, asked for, and was granted, permission to use the University’s mascot as our emblem. Soon bright red Arkansas hogs appeared on the helicopter’s doors and the flight became known officially as the Razorbacks Armed Helicopters. Intense aerial combat and night flying soon became our occupational specialties and because of those new found skills the platoon flew onto the pages of history.
The Razorbacks went into action so quickly after being formed that there were not yet enough enlisted crew members to service the platoons helicopters. Secretly, men from the 25th Infantry were selected to get us started. They wore tape over their uniform insignia so no one would know from what unit they came. These men are true “unsung heroes”!
Max Hall and his catastrophic tail rotor failure!
It’s said that on the average, a regular “Grunt” in Vietnam was engaged in actual combat 10 to perhaps 20 days out of their year of duty. The Razorbacks often saw combat 4 to 7 times in one day. 7 days a week. Our much copied motto “Death Is Our Business. Business Is Good.” was a good fit.
C’mon in, strap on a chicken plate and get ready to meet the crew members and their birds. Check out our armament and weapons systems. There are some fantastic photos of crashes for you to look over, too. Ever put one down in a mine field? See and read actual pages out of their official radio log book describing both combats & boredom.
You a John Wayne fan? Although he wasn’t in the military, he actually flew left seat with us and we own some photos you’ll not find any where else! Not even in the John Wayne Museum! Meet the last of the old Razorbacks at their stand down party at Nha Be in 1972. Razorbacks are dead? Nope. So, c’mon in, there’s more………..
CHANGE OF ITINERARY !!
Our reunion is just 3 weeks away!! Can you believe that it’s been sixty years since we first took to the skies as the Razorbacks? Hope you can make it. It’s gonna be a great time. “Friday the 13th” will see us meet at the Daffron homestead to meet & greet, pig out, shoot the bull or pick up those conversations we started at the last reunion. All attending Razorbacks will receive a Razorback patch for their jackets, scrap books, or collection. We’ll hit the VFW on Saturday for an evening of socializing and dancing.
The Big 6-0 Anniversary!
It’s party time flight, and you’re all invited!
The Razorback’s 60th Anniversary Reunion will be held in Penrose, Colorado on September 13-14-15, 2024.
Location: Lee & Pam Daffron’s home at 1153 Fremont St., Penrose, Colorado. This is about 30 miles south of Ft. Carson. Please RVSP to Pam so we can plan ahead of time….(we gotta have enough eats to go around). There’ll be dancin’ on Saturday night at the close by VFW post!
Phone: 719-429-5212.
Email: daffr2@aol.com
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Flight,
Why buy those hokey looking Razorbacks pocket patches off one of those internet auction sites? They look garbage and are over priced by over 200%! Our “Razorbacks Armed Helicopters Association” has had another batch of deluxe pocket patches made of the last Vietnam era version that we wore. You members will get set back $3.25 for each patch, plus a little postage for each order made. Contact Steve to make an order.
The Razorbacks Attack Helicopters Rule!!
Kickin’ butt and takin’ names in Iraq & Afghanistan and elsewhere about the globe as Uncle Sam may require!
Catch TJ Millard’s video of our 50th Anniversary reunion held at Ft. Carson, CO on April 24, 2015. GET YOUR AUDIO CRANKED UP and git it on!!
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Crew Chief PFC Mike Goodwin’s early Razorback’s “Business” card and our original slogan.
Razorbacks’ trivia: Even though the attitude about the Vietnam War had degenerated significantly as the war ground on, the University of Arkansas continued to support the Razorbacks when it definitely wasn’t cool to do so. The little things they did, such as sending Razorback hog stickers for our helmets were a big morale booster and deeply appreciated by the crews. Where ever the Razorbacks had a duty station, be it Tan Son Nhut, Bien Hoa, Saigon, Long Binh, or Nha Be, the Arkansas State Flag, along with Max Hall’s platoon plaque, was prominently displayed right up to the end.
We are always seeking current and former Razorback crew members, guys who flew with us that belonged to other branches of service, CIA/Air America, ARVN, or maintenance organizations, regardless of position, title, specialty, number of former spouses, or place of residence in the world to join us. There are no dues. Only one rule. Lots of camaraderie and some pretty cool reunions. So why lay around the house saying to yourself, “Well, maybe tomorrow.”? You’re only kidding yourself. Drop me a line. Gimmee a call. Remember: Once a Razorback, ALWAYS a Razorback.
We want your Razorback photos. Won’t you share, please?
If you find an error on these pages, please let me know so it can be corrected. I HATE FUBARS!
“Under Construction” Photos just keep being added! There may be errors and omissions ahead, but please bear with me. Something wrong? Let me know ASAP!
With the exception of the very few photographs that are in the Public Domain and ones which we were granted permission to use by owners outside this organization, this web site and all of its content is the property of the Razorbacks Armed Helicopters Association and can not be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the RAHA. If you’d like to use something from this site, simply ask, please.
If you’d like to have one or more of your Razorbacks related photos posted, contact me and let’s see what we can work out.
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